It is common practice at all Russian main Terminal Controls and Enroute centres for the Controller to have an english speaking translator working alongside them. Although one could argue that the Controller should speak good english and many do this is an extra safety consideration and I believe a common sense act on the part of the Russians who appreciate that language can be and is a problem...so on occasions it will be the translator you are hearing not the ATCO...
In the same way even the new 2 crew Russian aircraft, IL96, TU204 have a dedicated position for a radio operator which is always manned when the aircraft are used for international flights. Unfortunately the standard of english amongst Russian pilots is not good as for many years all R/T was done by a radio operator, but many are actively learning...
Trying/struggling to learn basic Russian at the moment I have nothing but admiration for their ATCO's and flight crews who have to operate in a foreign tongue...it cant be easy for anybody anywhere!